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[NEW RELEASES] Eldar
Trend&Living September 21, 2009

Food&Trip
Before listening to Eldar’s fourth jazz piano
Ticket album, “Virtue,” grab a bottle of wine and turn
Horoscope the lights down low. The sensational rhythms and
harmonic expressions of this jazz album is the
English Clinic
perfect accompaniment to a quiet evening.
Audio news

Bilingual column Virtue puts Eldar at the forefront of the


Teen Teen World contemporary jazz scene. The album is also a
THINK English fitting follow-up to his 2007 Grammy-nominated album, “Re-Imagination.”
Released this August, Virtue is a collection of thoughts and impressions of
Today's photo
what the artist defines as “virtue.” The album balances his youthful energy
with a new-found sophistication that mirrors his personal and creative Editorials&Columns
growth. The first track, “Exposition” contains an impressive saxophone solo Verdict on Moon Kook-hyun
along with Eldar’s phenomenal piano technique. Tracks such as “Blues
Regulatory system overhaul
Sketch in a Cave” and “Blackjack” are also well worth listening to.
Toward a definition of plagiarism
Friendship dance
Whether you’re new to jazz, new to wine, or new to both, this album is sure Bilingual column
to enchant your next romantic evening.
Koreans abroad are still Korean

Eldar One of the characters in “Take Off,” a


film that has attracted…
Biking for green
“Virtue” 국가대표
관객 800만 동원을 앞둔 영화 ‘국가대
Label: Sony Classical 표’에는 밥 이라는…

Genre: Jazz NOTICE


Mission: Beautify...

By Hyon Mi-kyung, Contributing writer Foreign community|Activities

Football connects
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communities

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for an artistic statement from one of the
label’s most durable and prominent creative
forces, and Michael Jackson’s death —
though unforeseen while Robinson was recording his latest work — certainly makes fans
look towards Motown’s elders for comfort and reassurance. “Time Flies When You’re Having
Fun” finds Robinson back in Quiet Storm mode, coming off 2006’s pop standards collection
“Timeless Love” with love songs and come-hithers that flaunt a libido that’s still alive at 69
but in a quiet, Cialis commercial kind of way. There’s a Smooth Jazz texture to the 11 tracks
here, especially the opening “Time Flies” and Robinson’s remake of the Norah Jones-
popularized “Don’t Know Why,” the only song on the album he didn’t write, but he gently
throttles the grooves up on “Girlfriend,” the trancey “That Place” and “L and “Please Don’t
GOplay
Take Your Love,” a slinky sojourn featuring guitar accents by Carlos Santana. Joss Stone also
shows up to lend a bit of vocal heft to “You’re the One For Me,” while India.Arie coos along
with Robinson on “You’re Just My Life.” But while it’s listenable, “Time Flies...” is far from
Robinson’s best moment, or moments, as a lyricist. It’s hard not to cringe when you hear
someone Bob Dylan considers America’s greatest living poet murmur weak come-ons like
“you got so many assets” or delve into the schtick of alternating English, French and
Spanish phrases in “Please Don’t Take Your Love.” And the soft-core porn overture of “Love
Bath” are, frankly, beneath an artist of Robinson’s stature. There are certainly flashes of
what made Robinson, and Motown, famous here, and fortunately his legacy is cemented and
unlikely to be damaged by this unremarkable effort.

REGGAE

Matisyahu

“Light”

Epic

1 of 3 9/17/09 4:22 PM
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***

On his fourth album and first full-length release in three years, the Hassidic sinwriter turns
reggae into little more than the most general heading possible for his genre-blending music.
Rock, hip-hop and Afro-Caribbean styles collide on these 13 songs, a broad sonic pastiche
fueled by consciousness and also by the muscular, optimistic anthemry of tracks such as
“One Day,” “So Hi So Lo,” the metallic “Darkness Into Light” and the full-bodied “For You.”
New collaborators such as Sly & Robbie and members of Fishbone, Fyre Dept. and Glitch
Mobb, as well as producer David Kahne, help Matisyahu stretch in a variety of directions,
from the slamming urban energy of “Motivate” and “Struggla” [cq] to the chill vibe of the
album-closing “Silence.” There’s always a “Light” at the end of the tunnel in Matisyahu’s
songs, and a heady mix of sounds to go with it.

New & Noteworthy:

— George Benson, “Song and Stories” (Concord): The jazz guitarist gets original material
from Lamont Dozier, Bill Withers and Rod Temperton and also covers songs by James Taylor,
Donny Hathaway and Tony Joe White on his latest release.

— Sandra Bernhard, “Whatever It Takes” (Mi5/EMI/Caroline): The actress/comedian tries


her hand at music, mixing rock and World flavors with help from the Pretenders’ Chrissie
Hynde, among others.

— Colbie Caillat, “Breakthrough” (Universal Republic): The songstress gets help on her
sophomore album from her father, recording engineer and Fleetwood Mac cohort Ken Caillat.

— Collective Soul, “Collective Soul (Rabbit)” (Loud & Proud/Roadrunner): The Georgia
rockers “Shine” again on a set whose last song, “Hymn For My Father,” pays a posthumous
tribute to band members Ed and Dean Roland’s dad.

— Eldar, “Virtue” (Sony Masterworks): The jazz pianist’s fourth album features guest
contributions by Joshua Redman and Nicholas Payton.

— Roy Hargrove, “Emergence” (Groovin’ High/Emarcy): The jazz trumpeter tries his hand
with a big band ensemble for the first time in his career.

— Peter Himmelman, “My Trampoline” (Minivan Productions): The singer, songwriter and
Bob Dylan son-in-law bounces back to family music here, with songs about picky eaters,
tortoises (named King Ferdinand) and a need for more kids named Steve.

— Michael Jackson, “The Remix Suite I” Universal Motown): The first of five planned digital
collections giving the late singer’s favorites a bit of sonic overhaul. Dallas Austin, the
Neptunes, Stargate, Polow Da Don and Salaam Remi do the honors here, the latter tackling
“ABC.”

— Jet, “Shaka Rock” (Real Horrorshow/Five Seven): The Australian quartet returns to its
rocking (“Are You Gonna Be My Girl”) ways after a commercial stumble on its 2006
sophomore album “Shine On.”

— David Mead, “Almost & Always” (Cheap Lullaby): The singer-songwriter’s first album in
three years takes an optimistic look at the promise of life after marriage.

— Najee, “Mind Over Matter” (Heads Up): Eric Bent and Jeff Lorber lend their talents to the
onetime Prince saxophonist’s latest project.

— Willie Nelson, “American Classic” (Blue Note): The American music legend’s tribute to Tin
Pan Alley features duets with Diana Krall and Norah Jones.

— Dolores O’Riordan, “No Baggage” (Zoe/Rounder): The Cranberries singer co-produced her
second solo album with Ontario-based collaborator Dan Brodbeck.

— Gretchen Parlato, “In a Dream” (ObliqSound): After a four-year wait, the jazz vocalist’s
sophomore album mixes her own material with song by Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington,
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and others.

— The Postmarks, “Memoirs at the End of the World” (Unfiltered): The cross-cultural south
Florida trio brings its own material to disc after the 2008 covers set “By the Numbers.”

— Skillet, “Awake” (Lava/Ardent/Atlantic): The Memphis Christian rockers’ eighth studio

2 of 3 9/17/09 4:22 PM
City of the Angels Music Opinion Page http://www.cityoftheangelsmusic.com/opinions.shtml

c a l e n d a r r e v i e w s t a l k b a c k a r c h i v e s w h o w e a r e

Be Cool!! Opinions
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newsletter!! "Songs From the Heart" Ramsey Lewis
Name Ramsey Lewis emerged on the jazz scene in the 1950s but made his biggest splash
in the '60s with instrumental cover versions of pop tunes like "The In Crowd" and
"Hang On Sloopy." Those crossover hits made him a household name, but the
Email vacuous material and Ramsey's spare piano style led some to dismiss him as a
lightweight. Forty years and 80 albums later, those critics are gone and Lewis
continues to thrive as a kind of roving ambassador of jazz. His roles now include
send reset educator, writer, speaker and the one many now associate with him-TV and radio
host. That's a lot of hats for a man in his 70s, but Lewis has found time to record his
first CD of all original material.
Page One
The title gives a hint of the work's direction: these are intimate musings of a mature artist, backed ably and
Best Bets unobtrusively by his latest trio incarnation: Leon Joyce on drums and Larry Gray on bass (plucked and bowed).
Opinions There's an occasional nod to his funkier side, as in the New Orleans-tinged "The Way She Smiles." But most of
the material is lyrical and romantic with hints of Debussy, as in "The Spark." Indeed, virtually all the song titles
Concert & Club Listings
suggest a man in love: "To Know Her Is To Love Her," "The Glow Of Her Charm," etc. The overall package is
Links pleasing as an aged Cabernet. As one would expect from a venerable jazz veteran, "Songs from the Heart"
Contact breaks little new ground, but is very easy on the ears. -----BILL IRELAND

Archives
Home "A Certain Beauty" Gil Parris
“A Certain Beauty” is the 7th solo release from Gil Parris, a Grammy nominated
recording artist, notably known in the smooth jazz, rock and blues genre. This
collection of music is a blend of smooth jazz, swinging blues and soft rock can that
can melt the heart of any die-hard cynic. Though most of the music leans towards
romanticism, there are elements of straight-ahead fun with "The Duck Walk,"
"Sugarman" and "It Feels Good." But mostly the music is all about finding the elusive
beauty that Gil seeks with his solos. The CD asks the listener to tune in and tap into
the soul of the music which can be sorrowful, hopeful and at times floating and breezy. MORE

"Detroit" Gerald Wilson


Detroit is a new composition by Los Angeles resident Gerald Wilson and his fourth
release on Mack Avenue Records. This multiple part suite was written for a big band
ensemble and was commissioned by the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Detroit
was recorded by Wilson's New York and Los Angeles big bands. Wilson's memories
of Detroit differ from the current state of the city. Wilson spent his high school days
there studying music. For Wilson, Detroit was a city of progressive social politics,
integrated schools and regional and national jazz bands.

"Blues on the Belle Isle" is the opening section of this release. This bluesy up tempo tune uses dexterously
voiced ensemble harmonies and features an agile violin solo before ending on a dissonant chord. MORE

"It Is What It Is" Brian Bromberg


It Is What It Is. The Urban Dictionary has 20 different meanings for the cliche. In
essence they all seem to point to the same idea to accept things as they are and
move on. There are more "creative" definitions to be found on this "this incredibly
versatile phrase"; but the business at hand is the latest CD release from Brian
Bromberg titled "It Is What It Is". I looked over the list of tracks which includes "Love
Shack", and I tried to imagine how it could be played other than the original form by
its creators, the B-52's. Another review of his earlier work, Wood and Wood 2,
reveals that there are songs in those recordings with jazz renditions which "other
artists in his field would not touch." (Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son", Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In.") MORE

"Virtue" Eldar
One never knows where the next musical prodigy will come from. In the case of
22-year-old piano genius Eldar, he came from Kyrgyzstan-via Kansas City, Los
Angeles and New York. He started performing in the then-Soviet Union at the age of
nine, and his talents have only grown sharper, as his new CD demonstrates. With the
help of veteran horn men Joshua Redman and Nicholas Payton, Eldar carves out a

1 of 4 9/17/09 4:35 PM
City of the Angels Music Opinion Page http://www.cityoftheangelsmusic.com/opinions.shtml

solid niche in uncompromising, progressive jazz that evokes Chick Corea and the best keyboardists of the last
top of page
30 years.

But it's not for the faint of heart-or smooth jazz fan: there's nary a straight 4/4 or
swing tune to be found here. Instead, Eldar's group-rounded out by bassist Armando Goia and Ludwig
Afonso-opts for odd time signatures and angular melodies, interspersed with occasional ballads like the
crystalline "Iris." He also has an affinity for sambas and other quasi-Latin rhythms, as in "Blues Sketch in
Clave" -although it's hard to detect either the blues or the Latin clave rhythm in that unsettling piece. Whatever
the setting, Eldar demonstrates astonishing technical facility, veering from ferocious aggression in "The
Exorcist" to Chopinesque lyricism in "Lullaby Fantasia." Easy listening? No. But for true virtuosity, you won't do
better than "Virtue." ---BILL IRELAND

"Metropolitain" Kyle Eastwood


In Paris, the Metropolitain (Paris Metro), is a structure that is symbolic of the Art
Noveau, a design style and philosophy that brings art into everyday life. It seems apt
that Metropolitain is also the title of Kyle Eastwood’s newest recording. He has
crafted a very likeable mélange of jazz compositions that is elegant, funky and jazzy
which can appeal to a wide spectrum of discerning ears.

The CD is a collaboration of musical talents from Europe and was recorded in Paris.
It features players: pianist Eric Legnini, drummer Manu Katché, trumpeter Till
Brönner and vocalist Camille along with Eastwood’s usual suspects: British saxophonist Graeme Blevins and
pianist Andrew McCormack. In an interview featured in the the July-August issue of Venice magazine, Kyle
Eastwood talks about how his passion to play jazz was born from frequent attendance of the renowned
Monterey Jazz festival with his family. He was attracted to the rhythm and groove of the music as he was
situated near the stage by the drums. MORE

"Echoes of Ethnicity" Derrick Gardiner & the Jazz Prophets


Derrick Gardner is a freelance trumpeter, arranger and composer from Chicago.
Gardner has played alongside jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and has had his
music performed by “The Count Basie Orchestra”. Gardner’s sextet “The Jazz
Prophets” has been playing for over twenty years. Their latest release, "Echoes of
Ethnicity," showcases ten arrangements of original compositions and standards.

"Echoes of Ethnicity" features the work of “The Jazz Prophets” plus two. Brad Leali
on alto saxophone and Brandon Meeks on bass join the group on this recording. This
eight-piece ensemble allows for more interplay between musicians than is possible in a big band, while
maintaining some of the big band sound. The challenge Gardner’s group contends with is the balancing of
musical freedom versus control. The opening track “4Newk” blasts off with an up tempo jagged unison melody
in a groove that shifts between a latin feel and a swing beat. “Afro and Cubans” is arranged with interesting
sonorities. “Mercury Blvd” is one of the more beautiful tracks on this release. Gardner’s trumpet playing and a
closely harmonized horn section drive this R&B style tune. Throughout this recording percussionist Kevin
Kaiser adds to the groove with afro-Cuban style percussion.

Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets +2 often choose density and elaborate arrangements over spontaneity
and looseness on this album. However, sometimes the tradeoff is worth it. This ensemble uses its larger size to
create dramatic climaxes and a wide variety of timbres and textures that is difficult for smaller jazz groups to
reproduce.----JARVIS RAYMOND

"Vast" East West Quintet


The first track and last track of this recording both start quietly. The CD has such a
tentative beginning that it was necessary to turn up the volume a few notches. With
their latest recording, Vast, East West Quintet (EWQ) has compiled a recording of
original music from all its members. The articulation and boldness of the songs in
Vast traverse boundaries between rock-jazz and avant-garde jazz.

With Mike Cassedy on keys; Ben Campbell on bass and Jordan Perlson on drums,
the style is innovative rhythms that are solid backdrops to the array of moods
provided by Dylan Heaney on the saxophones and Simon Kafka doubling as rhythm
and soloing and riffing on the guitars. The first track, “The Triumph” is an invitation to be more curious about
the rest of the offerings which is a cacophony of tasteful musicianship. It’s a must to listen to this CD with
headphones on to catch the subtleties of the craftsmanship these gentlemen have honed in their art. Jordan
Perlson drumming and Cassedy’s playful call and response is pure is ear candy on track 2, “Catalyst”. “Vast Pt
1” and “Vast Pt 2” (tracks 3 and 4) are Kafka’s compositions. Vast Part 1 starts off with a quiet guitar intro which
sets up the saxophone. The guitars, bass and drums build a quietly into Vast Part 2 - simple rhythms and
dissonant piano comping that has overtones of rock rhythms from Kafka’s guitar. MORE

"Without a Song" Freddie Hubbard


Freddie Hubbard is undeniably a jazz legend. He performed with John Coltrane,
wrote tunes that have become jazz standards and widened the vocabulary of the
trumpet. "Without a Song" captures Hubbard playing during his 1969 tour of Europe.

This Blue Note release of previously-unreleased material includes five standards and
two Hubbard originals. The title track, “Without a Song,” features Hubbard at his best
– harmonically complex with breath taking runs and a powerful controlled sound.
Hubbard pays homage in “A Night in Tunsia,” a tune originally by trumpeter Dizzy
Gillespie. Notable on this track is pianist Roland Hanna’s spirited solo.

In contrast to the uptempo bop of “A Night in Tunsia,” delicate sounds are explored in a slow rendition of the

2 of 4 9/17/09 4:35 PM
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE.COM

Eldar performs at Exodus to Jazz in Rochester


Anna Reguero
Staff Writer

The last time Rochester met the prodigy jazz pianist Eldar, he was 20 years old with the world
securely — if not fanatically — at his finger tips. It was the 2007 Rochester International Jazz
Festival, and a line spanning blocks began hours prior to his performance.

By then, the pianist (whose last name is Djangirov) already had sealed his reputation as a
wunderkind, with two praised recordings on the Sony label of mostly athletic versions of jazz
standards.

But it was a new CD — released just before his Rochester appearance — that received not only
rave reviews from critics but also a Grammy nod that seemed to show signs that the young
pianist, with comparisons to the great stride pianists such as Oscar Peterson, could be the real
deal.

The recording, Re-Imagination, might have been the pinnacle of Eldar's output thus far, despite a
new CD released this month that also showcases the pianist as a growing composer. The disc,
almost exclusively Eldar's own charts, was a fresh exploration of DJ beats and electronica within
a jazz framework, and he exhibited a strong compositional voice in works that featured rhapsodic,
dreamy episodes and a metropolitan pulse.

Eldar's newest release, Virtue, takes a slight diversion from some of those explorations. In it,
Eldar, now 22, puts his fingerprint on jazz genres he had yet to explore. And the artist, now in a
new phase of his growth, returns to Rochester for an Exodus to Jazz performance this Friday.

"The thing is, I feel that I'm still in my formative years, I certainly do," says Eldar. "Those formative
years don't end."

By the sounds of Virtue, you should expect Eldar to replace some of the more recent electronic
effects with a touch of '70s jazz fusion. Considering major pianists such as Chick Corea and
Herbie Hancock have stepped into the funk genre, it's entirely reasonable that some of that work
would blend its way into an impressionable jazz pianist trying to become more cutting-edge.

Or, as Eldar says, those influences are his "beacon" and add to his available modes of
expression. Finding a way to use music to express the diversity of his own personality is what's
really at the front of his new album, he says.

While his sometimes heavy use of synthesizer does conjure up associations with fusion, Eldar
says he used it for specific reasons.

"When the music is going in a certain direction and there's a climax that needs to happen, it
outlines the climax and puts it on another orbit," he says.

Eldar adds a precision in attitude that he always has to his technique — and with it some
maturity.
"If you look at the word 'virtue,' you think of integrity, a phrase like moral aptitude and a word like
excellence," he says. "I think those are the goals that I feel like music has to do so much with. It's
the virtue of the music, the things you do with your own dedication."

You can still find some of the old Eldar lingering on his new album.

Tracks such as "Insensitive" and "Lullaby Fantasia" have cosmopolitan appeal, and "Iris" retains
a dreamy, affecting touch because of the strangely beautiful melody Eldar writes. Despite the
mountains of notes and complicated riffs throughout the rest of the album — which are
impressive, no doubt — it's these introspective, ballad moments when it's clear that Eldar has
grown out of the prodigy phase.

With that growth, Eldar seems poised as a strong contender for another Grammy nomination.

"I just hope to be playing music," he says. "All the other things that are not directly related to
music are going to be a great honor."

AREGUERO@DemocratandChronicle.com

Additional Facts
If you go
What: Exodus to Jazz presents Eldar.
When: Friday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside, 120 Main St.
Tickets: $25 for reserved seating; $20 general admission ($10 for students).
Call: (585) 733-7685.
Web: www.exodustojazz .com
In searching the publicly accessible web, we found a webpage of interest and provide a snapshot of it
below. Please be advised that this page, and any images or links in it, may have changed since we created
this snapshot. For your convenience, we provide a hyperlink to the current webpage as part of our service.

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Haunted by Kevin Kling
Main Jay Harvey was born in New York City to
musician parents and raised in Vermont,
Pennsylvania and Michigan. After earning
September 9, 2009 bachelor's and master's degrees in
English from Kalamazoo College and
Eldar's 'Virtue' Harvard University, he was a high-school teacher for
Read Comments (0) three years before entering journalism in 1971. He
worked for the Flint Journal for 15 years in arts and
Old-fashioned word, “virtue” — and here’s a 22-year-old jazz piano whiz doing features before moving to Indianapolis with his wife and
his best to give original substance to the concept. two sons to join the staff of The Indianapolis Star, where
he has been an arts writer and copy editor.
“Virtue,” Eldar Djangirov’s fourth album for Sony Masterworks, is essentially a
highly focused trio album, with contemporaries Armando Gola, bass, and RECENT ENTRIES
Ludwig Afonso, drums, providing sterling support.
Eldar's 'Virtue' - 09/09/09
Coincidentally, Eldar is appearing at 8 and 10 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Jazz Kitchen,
Haunted by Kevin Kling - 08/28/09
one day before a distinguished guest on “Virtue,” Joshua Redman, brings his
trio into Clowes Hall to launch the Indy Jazz Fest as well as this season’s Michael Brecker's cosmos - 08/18/09

“Clowes Presents” series. Difficulty at the ISO - 08/05/09


Jazz visionary George Russell - 07/28/09
Having moved to this country at age 10 with his parents from Kyrgyzstan, Eldar Cultivating ballet - 07/23/09
quickly came to the attention of jazz notables. Settling in Kansas City, he soon Jazz on the Point - 07/22/09
became bicoastal, and now barely old enough to drink legally at many of his
Teaching in New York - 07/21/09
gigs, he’s evincing growing mastery.
Statistics, moral uplift and the arts - 07/20/09
“Virtue,” released at the end of August, displays the benefit of having an original Learning by swinging - 07/15/09
compositional mind harnessed to superior improvisational skills. Dare I
mention piano icons Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson at this point? Well, yes: ARCHIVES
Both of those titans had some of the most enviable chops of any jazz pianists,
September 2009
but most of their amazing work consisted of ornamenting familiar songs. Tatum
August 2009
hardly composed at all: Peterson, somewhat more. But on “Virtue” there are
several strong compositions by the pianist that play to his strengths — jumpy, July 2009
intricate tunes that present a strong profile and enable the subsequent soloing June 2009
to elaborate without the feeling that the lily is being excessively gilded. I confess May 2009
to having that feeling often when listening to Tatum and Peterson.
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I’m not suggesting a triumvirate here. It’s too soon for that. But Eldar is a
refreshing departure from the small ranks of gifted pianists whose most Amateur Sports Hoosier Politics
characteristic work was grounded in models crafted by other musical minds. The Board Hoosiers Insider
Boilers Insider In Touch
Bounce it off Phil B. Indy Kitchen
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drummer Adam Cruz — and a dynamic elder, the
saxophonist Dave Liebman. At 10 p.m., 55 Bar, 55 Summer Piano Festival
Stony Brook, NY. Ages 12 -17. Intensive study program. July
Christopher Street, West Village , (212) 929-9883, 2009.
55bar.com; cover, $10. (Nate Chinen) www.sbipf.org

Advertise on NYTimes.com
Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times ★ KENNY BARRON QUINTET (Tuesday through
Memorial Tribute to Rashied Ali
This salute to Rashied Ali, above, on
Thursday) Kenny Barron is the leading proponent of an MOST POPULAR
Saturday at Le Poisson Rouge, will elegant and economical piano style that thrives in any E-MAILED BLOGGED SEARCHED
focus on the late-period John Coltrane
music that Mr. Ali, who died last mainstream setting; he teams up here with the trumpeter
1. Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 72
month, helped define.
Brandon Lee, the tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens, the 2. In Portland’s Restaurants, a Down East Banquet
bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and the drummer Johnathan 3. Thomas L. Friedman: Have a Nice Day
Blog
Blake. (Through Sept. 13.) At 9 and 11 p.m., Village 4. Mind: When a Parent’s ‘I Love You’ Means ‘Do as I
ArtsBeat Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Say’
The latest on the Village , (212) 255-4037, villagevanguard.com; cover, $20, 5. Magazine Preview: The Holy Grail of the Unconscious
arts, coverage of 6. Following Trash and Recyclables on Their Journey
with a $10 minimum. (Chinen)
live events,
7. Rosh Hashana, Circa 1919
critical reviews,
BEDROCK (Wednesday and Thursday) The keyboardist 8. Maureen Dowd: Rapping Joe’s Knuckles
multimedia extravaganzas and
much more. Join the Uri Caine, the bassist Tim Lefebvre and the drummer Zach 9. Books: One Injury, 10 Countries: A Journey in Health
Danziger make up this trio, which absorbs elements of Care
discussion.
fusion, funk and drum-and-bass into its own deliriously 10. Gail Collins: Someday, a Bill Will Pass
More Arts News
groovy style. At 10 p.m., 55 Bar, 55 Christopher Street, Go to Complete List »
West Village , (212) 929-9883, 55bar.com; cover, $10.
(Chinen)

★ JAMES CARNEY QUARTET (Friday and Thursday) “Ways & Means” (Songlines) is
an artfully layered new album by the keyboardist and composer James Carney, who
celebrates its release this week and next. On Friday his group features Ted Poor on
drums; on Thursday it’s Dan Weiss. Otherwise the personnel is consistent for both
shows, featuring players from the album: Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Tony Malaby on tenor

1 of 6 9/17/09 4:42 PM
Jazz Listings - Schedule - NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/arts/music/04jazz.html?_r=2

saxophone, Josh Roseman on trombone and Chris Lightcap on bass. Friday at 9 and
10:30 p.m., Tea Lounge, 837 Union Street, near Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn,
(718) 789-2762, tealoungeny.com; suggested donation, $5. Saturday at 9 and 10:30 p.m.,
Jazz Gallery, 290 Hudson Street, at Spring Street, South Village , (212) 242-1063,
jazzgallery.org; cover, $15, and $10 for members during the first set; $10, and $5 for
members during the second set. (Chinen)

ELDAR (Thursday) “Virtue” (Sony Masterworks), the new album from the pianist Eldar
Djangirov, revels in a typically crisp virtuosity, drawing no distinctions between acoustic Scenes from New York
trio interplay and electro-acoustic fusion. Here Mr. Djangirov re-enlists the young Fashion Week
musicians at the album’s core, the bassist Jose Armando Gola and the drummer Ludwig ALSO IN T MAGAZINE »
Afonso. (Through Sept. 13.) At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street, Runway fantasy versus reality
Fashion Week designers pick their favorite places to eat
Manhattan , (212) 576-2232, jazzstandard.net; cover, $25; Friday and Saturday $30.
(Chinen)

JOHN ESCREET PROJECT (Wednesday) John Escreet is a young British pianist, now
based in New York, whose music tends toward a busy brightness. Drawing from ADVERTISEMENTS
“Consequences” (Posi-Tone), his fine recent debut, he leads a band with Ambrose
Akinmusire on trumpet, David Binney on alto saxophone, Zack Lober on bass and
Nasheet Waits on drums. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street,
Manhattan , (212) 576-2232, jazzstandard.net; cover, $20. (Chinen)

JOEL HARRISON GROUP (Thursday) “Urban Myths” (HighNote), the new album by
the guitarist Joel Harrison, presents a personal take on the jazz-rock of the 1970s.
Drawing from it here, Mr. Harrison leads a group that features the saxophonist Donny
McCaslin, the pianist John Escreet, the bassist Stephan Crump and the drummer Ziv
Ravitz. At 9 and 11 p.m., Tea Lounge, 837 Union Street, near Sixth Avenue, Park Slope,
Brooklyn , (718) 789-2762, tealoungeny.com; suggested donation, $5. (Chinen)
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YARON HERMAN TRIO (Tuesday) Yaron Herman, an Israeli pianist based in Paris, Denali is our Backyard
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bassist Matt Brewer and the drummer Gerald Cleaver. The same group resurfaces here to
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celebrate the album’s release. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street, Make Cheap Calls Abroad & Enjoy Free Skype-to-Skype Calls.
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Manhattan , (212) 576-2232, jazzstandard.net; cover, $20. (Chinen)
Online Executive MBA
HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ (Thursday) This long-running series, organized by Jack Earn an Executive MBA Online at RIT. No GMAT or GRE, Free
Brochure.
Kleinsinger, kicks off its final season with a program called “Cabaret Jazz,” featuring the EmbaOnline.RIT.Edu

incomparable Barbara Carroll and the vivacious Paula West. At 8 p.m., TriBeCa
Performing Arts Center, Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers
Street , (212) 220-1460, tribecapac.org; $35, students $32.50. (Chinen)

LAURENCE HOBGOOD TRIO (Monday) Best known as the pianist and


co-conspirator of the deftly mercurial jazz singer Kurt Elling, Laurence Hobgood shows
off his romantic side on his new album, “When the Heart Dances” (Naim Jazz). Rumor
has it that Mr. Hobgood and his trio will make room for a special guest, whose identity
should be easily surmised. At 9 and 11 p.m., Smalls, 183 West 10th Street, West Village ,
(212) 675-7369, smallsjazzclub.com; $20. (Chinen)

VIC JURIS TRIO (Sunday) Vic Juris, a cool-toned guitarist with a broad harmonic
vocabulary, leads a propulsive trio with Jay Anderson on bass and Adam Nussbaum on
drums. At 6 p.m., 55 Bar, 55 Christopher Street, West Village , (212) 929-9883,
55bar.com; no cover, but a two-drink minimum. (Chinen)

JASON LINDNER AND DAN WEISS (Friday and Saturday) Mr. Lindner, a pianist,
and Mr. Weiss, a drummer, share an open-minded perspective on rhythm, along with an
attraction to dynamic action. Their rapport as a duo could reach some interesting places.
At 9 and 10:30 p.m., Jazz Gallery, 290 Hudson Street, at Spring Street, South Village ,
(212) 242-1063, jazzgallery.org; $15, $10 for members. (Chinen)

2 of 6 9/17/09 4:42 PM
Jazz Police - Piano “Virtue”: Eldar Returns to the Dakota, Sept... http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8555/115/

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Home Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities Musicians, Venues, Reviews and Calendar Calendar Piano “Virtue”: Eldar Returns to the Dakota, search...
September 16th

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Video
Up From New
BOOKMARKED SONGS On September 16th, the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis welcomes back one of its Orleans With the
youngest headliners, a monster pianist known simply as Eldar. His debut here nearly four Astral Project :
years ago at age 18 was stunning, and his star has only climbed higher in the jazz sky ever Midwest Tour
since. Marcus Roberts
Trio at the Dakota,
Kyrgyzstan prodigy Eldar Djangirov took an interest in the piano at age three, began serious September 22-23
Barbados studies while still in elementary school, and caught the ear of Dr. Billy Taylor at 11. After Connie’s Got the
by Chet Baker appearing with Taylor on CBS Sunday Morning, Eldar and his family relocated to Kansas City “Fever”: Jazz at
where he could pursue his interest in jazz through studies with local musicians and at the Jungle,
Interlochen. Still in his early teens, he went on to win top prizes at the 2001 Lionel Hampton September 20th
Jazz Festival and the 2002 Peter Nero Piano Competition; in 2004 he appeared on Marian Back Home in
McPartland’s Piano Jazz, her youngest guest ever (at the time). Minnesota,
California
Misterioso (1958) Pianist Benny Green noted, "Eldar's talent is undeniable; he possesses remarkable ease in his Chanteuse Sony
by Thelonious Monk technical fluency, coupled with a free-flowing sense of harmonic coloration." Comparisons Holland,
with jazz greats abound, as Eldar seemingly channels the touch of Bill Evans, the power and September 19-20
swing of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, the magnificent harmonics of McCoy Tyner, and the The 11th Annual
invention of Herbie Hancock with “vigor, stylistic range and dazzling speed” (New York World Music
Times). After hearing Eldar, the late jazz great Benny Carter said, "He's one of the most Festival 9/18-24 in
outstanding artists I've heard in a long, long time." Chicago
Blue Room Username
by Sonny Rollins Following two
well-received independent
releases (Eldar, 2001 and Password
Handprints, 2003), Eldar
signed with Sony Classical
in 2004, releasing another
Eldar featuring John Remember me
Samba De Orpheus (Live)
by Sonny Stitt Patitucci and Michael Login
Brecker. Next came Live
at the Blue Note with Roy Lost Password?
Hargrove and Chris Botti, No account yet? Register
earning four stars from
Downbeat and the review,
Dance Of The Infidels “Few musicians on any axe
by Haden, Charlie, And Quartet swing like Eldar...his
West groove is intense and
Eldar Trio overwhelming. It’s not the
flash and fire that should
SEE ALL MY BOOKMARKS
stir interest in Eldar. It’s what he does when the razzle-dazzle dies down and we sense
substance within and beyond his pyrotechnics.” The New York Times also noted his
Create a new station: “formidable technique wedded to a mature grasp of musical structure.” In 2008, his third
Sony release, Re-Imagination, received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz
artist or song name Album, topped for the award by Herbie Hancock’s River. Here Eldar moved away from strictly
acoustic arrangements with electronics and the programming of DJ Logic. Noted Paula

1 of 2 9/17/09 4:47 PM
Jazz Police - Piano “Virtue”: Eldar Returns to the Dakota, Sept... http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8555/115/

create station Edelstein (JazzUSA.com), “With the release of Re-imagination... jazz pianist Eldar documents
his transition from youthful prodigy to a creative artist with something to say.”

powered by PANDORA And now Eldar (who recently completed advanced studies at the Thornton School of Music at
USC) releases what is arguably (don’t argue with this writer!) his most mature set, Virtue.
With his working trio of bassist Armando Gola and Ludwig Afonso, Virtue features mostly
original compositions by Eldar and guest appearances by trumpeter Nicholas Payton and
saxophonists Joshua Redman and Felipe Lamoglia. Notes the 22-year-old leader, "I'm so proud
of this album, more so than any I've done so far. In many ways, you could think of it as a
soundtrack to my direct experiences since I've moved to New York City." [See Jazz Police
review of Virtue]

Eldar and his trio will perform two sets at the Dakota on September 16th at 7 and 9:30 pm.

Free Jazz CDs The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis, www.dakotacooks.com.
From Minneapolis, Eldar travels to the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis (9/18), to the Firefly in
Join Jazz Heritage
Ann Arbor (9/19), to the Bluewisp in Cincinnati (9/22) and to Nighttown in Cleveland
Society and get 5 (9/24).
Free CDs now!
www.jazzheritage.com

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2 of 2 9/17/09 4:47 PM
j-notes.com: the new groove http://www.j-notes.com/

Jazz piano legend McCoy Tyner's new release, Solo: Live From San Francisco (Dig) [LIVE]
was recorded live during the SFJAZZ Spring Season in May 2007. I attended this
Powered by Movable Type Pro
magnificent concert and am very excited about this album which includes, "Naima," "You
Taught My Heart To Sing," "I Should Care," "Sweet And Lovely," and "In A Mellow Tone."

Young jazz piano virtuosos Eldar and Robert Glasper also have new releases on Tuesday.

Eldar's Virtue features mostly original compositions by Eldar performed with bassist
Armando Gola and Ludwig Afonso. Eldar also welcomes guest appearances by trumpeter
Nicholas Payton and saxophonists Joshua Redman and Felipe Lamoglia.

Pianist Robert Glasper presents both sides of his musical persona with Double-Booked,
his third album for Blue Note Records, which will be released on August 25. The album
bridges Glasper's parallel careers as the leader of an acclaimed jazz trio and a first-call
sideman with hip-hop artists such as Mos Def, Q Tip and The Roots. Moving nimbly from
the acoustic Robert Glasper Trio to the hip-hop fusion Robert Glasper Experiment, the
young keyboardist puts his versatility front and center. Special guests on the album
include vocalist Bilal and a cameo apprearance from rapper Mos Def.

Lizz Wright is coming to the Bay Area - 9/18-20


By James on August 19, 2009 10:28 PM | No Comments

Vocalist/songwriter Lizz Wright is bringing her sweet music to the Bay Area.

9/18 Dizzy's Den stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival at 8:30pm


9/19-20 Yoshi's Oakland - Shows at 8 and 10pm
Photo Credit: James Knox

Oakland Public Conservatory Screening Film


Faubourg Treme - August 29
By James on August 16, 2009 4:11 PM | No Comments

Memphis Minnie's Bar-b-que Joint of San Francisco Presents

EXCLUSIVE EAST BAY SCREENING


AWARD-WINNING NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT
HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD AND ITS MUSIC

Screening and Discussion with Iconic


New Orleans Newspaperman and Author Lolis Eric Elie

Special Appearance by Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir


All Proceeds Benefit the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music

OAKLAND--The winner of "Best Documentary" at the 2008 San Francisco Film


Festival, Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans gives viewers a
riveting introduction to of a little-known part of American history set in the fascinating
New Orleans neighborhood where jazz was born.

3 of 10 9/17/09 4:36 PM
Lerterland: The week on disc (50) http://lerterland.blogspot.com/2009/08/week-on-disc-50.html

T U E S D A Y, A U G U S T 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

The week on disc (50)


In case you missed the last one...

Southern Excursion Quartet, Trading Post (ARC)

Terence Blanchard Group, Choices (Concord)

Oran Etkin, Kelenia (Motéma)

Sean Nowell, The Seeker (Posi-Tone)

Eldar, Virtue (Sony)

Roy Hargrove Big Band, Emergence (Groovin’ High/Emarcy)

Posted by David R. Adler at 12:09 PM Labels: Jazz, Music

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2 of 3 9/17/09 4:41 PM
The Urban Music Scene: News ~ New Releases: Eldar | Virtue ... http://news-releases.theurbanmusicscene.com/2009/06/12/eldar-...

Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group,


2007-2009 | All Rights Reserved
Eldar | Virtue (Coming Aug. 25th, 2009)

JAZZ PIANIST ELDAR RELEASES VIRTUE ON AUGUST 25

PROGRESSIVE NEW COMPOSITIONS BY ELDAR


FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS
JOSHUA REDMAN AND NICHOLAS PAYTON

HIGHLINE BALLROOM PERFORMANCE ON JUNE 22

Sony Masterworks is pleased to announce the release of Virtue, a new recording from jazz keyboard
virtuoso Eldar, on August 25. His fourth album on Sony Masterworks, Virtue affirms his position at
the forefront of contemporary jazz and is a fitting follow-up to his 2008 Grammy-nominated album,
re-imagination.

Partnered by bassist Armando Gola and Ludwig Afonso, Virtue features mostly original compositions
by Eldar and demonstrates the continued development of his writing. Eldar also welcomes guest
appearances by trumpeter Nicholas Payton and saxophonists Joshua Redman and Felipe Lamoglia.

Referencing re-imagination, Alex Miller, General Manager at Sony Masterworks, observes that Virtue
"implements the same creative freedoms but in a new way. Eldar's band approached the studio with
compositions fully formed, an esprit de corps that enlivens each song, and a balance between
assertiveness and sensitivity that only maturity brings."

That maturity belies the fact that even after making a sensational first impression with the release
of his debut album nine years ago, Eldar is still just 22 years old. His prodigious gifts were evident
from childhood and Virtue balances exhilarating youthful energy with a new found sophistication
and depth of reflection that mirrors his personal and creative growth.

"I'm so proud of this album, more so than any I've done so far," he insists. "In many ways, you
could think of it as a soundtrack to my direct experiences since I've moved to New York City."

It's been three years since he relocated from Los Angeles and began processing the stimuli that his
new home provided. The outcome on Virtue is at the same time adventurous and accessible. Its
individual tracks combine to create an impression as complex as an urban skyline, through which
Eldar and his group channel their ideas, challenging each other through interactions as alive as the
rush of humanity through city streets.

From the start, Eldar took an experimental approach to this project. "I came up with intricate
frameworks but allowed it to expand in a rhapsodic way," he explains. "That means I didn't limit
myself. I didn't write with any idea of form, like A-A-B-A. Instead, I set my goals and priorities,
priorities by experimenting with harmonic movements, melodic ideas, and rhythmic codes. Through
this, I was able to shape and develop these ideas which eventually became the basis for the
compositions for this album."

3 of 5 9/17/09 4:40 PM
The Urban Music Scene: News ~ New Releases: Eldar | Virtue ... http://news-releases.theurbanmusicscene.com/2009/06/12/eldar-...

After laying the compositional foundation of Virtue, Eldar brought Gola and Afonso into the mix.
Immediately, they made themselves integral to the album's ongoing conception. "Their musical
Domain Names priorities were similar to mine," he says. "When we started rehearsing, the music became our bond.
We started having ideas together, so the process of development began taking place within the
band."

Equally important, they established an intuitive communication that was critical to transforming
those ideas into compelling performances. Eventually they reached a point where, as Eldar puts it,
"we all feel like we know where this train is going. We listen constantly to each other as we play. If
somebody goes in an unexpected direction, we don't go against him; we move and breathe
together. We rely on each other. It comes from following our impulses rather than 'reading' this
note at that exact time."

Born in Kyrgyzstan and raised in Kansas City, Eldar started playing jazz festivals before the age of
ten (in what was then the Soviet Union). In 1998, he and his family emigrated to the United States
and resettled in Kansas City. He became the youngest guest ever to appear on Marian McPartland's
Piano Jazz. Later, he pursued advanced study at the Thornton School of Music at the University of
Southern California, and eventually began enjoying a career that has seen him in performances
throughout the United States, Europe, Indonesia, Japan and South America.

Live national television shows fill his calendar, with highlights including a performance at last year's
Grammy Awards telecast, the first time in many years a jazz artist was so honored, and the second
time for such an appearance. Eldar has also been seen on Conan O'Brian, CBS Saturday Early
Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Sunday Morning. 2009 is a busy year for the artist with sets
booked throughout the United States and Europe.

Eldar Headlines at The Highline Ballroom

Monday June 22, 8:00 pm

Eldar, piano
Armando Gola, bass
Ludwig Afonso, drums

Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th St
New York, NY 10011
phone: 212.414.5994
www.highlineballroom.com

For more background and upcoming activities, visit www.eldarjazz.com

RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical, deutsche harmonia mundi, Masterworks Broadway and Masterworks
Jazz are labels of Sony Masterworks. For email updates and information regarding RCA Red Seal,
Sony Classical, deutsche harmonia mundi, Masterworks Broadway and Masterworks Jazz artists,
promotions, tours and repertoire, please visit www.sonymasterworks.com.

DL Media

Posted by Administration at 6/12/2009 12:26 AM


Categories: New Jazz Releases

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